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Türkiye and Syria – The European Parliament opened its plenary session this week with a debate on the humanitarian crisis caused by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. In his opening speech, György Hölvényi, Christian Democrat MEP, thanked those who are risking their lives to help the victims. MEP Hölvényi pointed out: In Syria, aid has begun in an extremely difficult security and political situation. However, a much broader engagement is needed to ensure that local humanitarian actors can be truly effective. He also warned that sanctions against Syria should not be an obstacle to reconstruction after a period of life-saving.
“One week after the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, we must, first of all, thank those who have been fighting for the last week and are still fighting for the victims, risking their lives. It is our duty to support their work in every way we can”, said MEP György Hölvényi at the debate in Strasbourg on the possibilities for providing aid after the tragedy, which had already claimed more than 33,000 victims by Monday.
In his speech, the EPP spokesperson of the Committee on Development highlighted the situation in Syria. He said,
“However, a much broader engagement is needed to ensure that local humanitarian actors can play their role effectively.”
The politician added: “Following the disaster, I have been in contact with one of the country’s largest aid organisations, the St. Ephrem Patriarchal Development Committee, as well as with the Italian humanitarian agency, AVSI and other non-governmental partners working in Syria.”
He pointed out that local church and humanitarian partners, as well as other internationally recognised organisations, have said that sanctions on banking transactions, electronics and machinery for clearing rubble are seriously hampering humanitarian action.
“We must therefore find a way to remove the obstacles to reconstruction without abandoning the political purpose of the sanctions, after the life-saving period. This can only be done with direct aid to the Syrian people.” – stressed the Christian Democrat MEP.
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